From wanting to be a Historian to studying towards being an Accountant
Growing up, I was always in love with the mysteries of the past. History was my playground - I would lose myself in books about ancient civilizations, wonder at the exploits of daring explorers, and long to unravel the mysteries of the past and I still do.
But my story took an intriguing twist. Despite my love for history, I found myself looking for a more secure career. Enter, the world of accountancy. I had heard about Assurance from a friend of mine on a graduate programme and was fascinated by the prospects to work closely with top company's globally towards their goals.
From my first encounter with EY at an Open Day, I immediately felt at ease with the company and the team explained the roles in a way which allowed me to establish if this was right for me. I'm coming up to one year with EY, I can safely say I enjoy what I do a lot. Besides, accountancy, much like history, was about piecing together stories - not of civilizations or wars, but of businesses and financial transactions!
I help to audit large financial institutions in the North West
I work with large financial institutions specifically to help deliver their financial statements and ensure they are compliant. Many companies are required by law to have their financial statements audited and that is where we come in - we perform procedures such as analysing, inspecting, observing and concluding the financial statements presented to us. No one company is the same. Each has its own unique processes and methods to achieve their financial benchmarks, and each day brings up something new. Through rotation on clients and rotation of teams, you get to meet and interact with a lot of new people, be it new team members or senior management of the client - it enables you the chance to expand your communication skills and expand your network in many ways.
Working with great people!
My main source of motivation in this role stems from the prospect of working on interesting projects and the chance to collaborate with some incredible individuals. Within this role, you often have to work together in order to creatively find solutions to problems. It enables you to add your own mark on the project, and it's great to see a project come to life through the combined effort and determination of the team you work with.
Many of my colleagues aren't just teammates - they are friends and mentors, constantly pushing me to better myself, while also offering support when things are difficult. EY promotes a fantastic environment for learning and growing as an individual, and this is no better shown through the great teams you'll work with!
Ask questions!
Often, many of us perceive the hiring process as a one-way street, "am I the right fit for this company?" - but in doing so we forget one of the most important things to ask ourselves "is this company the ideal match for my career goals and values?". The key to unveiling this answer lies in asking questions about company culture, growth opportunities, work-life balance, etc. It's all about making sure it's a match for both parties and that the firm will enable you to be your true authentic self!
Making a positive impact in the local community
Here at EY, there is a big emphasis on making a positive impact in the local community. Through my role, I have had the opportunity to get involved in many charity events with my colleagues - seeing our office raise groundbreaking sums for local charities who make a positive difference in the local area. The EY Foundation has also provided me with some great opportunities to make a positive difference, such as speaking to local school children about my role and EY - and what it could offer them in the future.
